Northern Virginia Weather: Sunshine Thursday, Rain On the Way

STERLING, VA — Unlike Friday, an Inauguration Day expected to be soaked by a day-long downpour, Thursday brings a much brighter and sunnier message, according to the area National Weather Service headquarters.

Following a mostly cloudy Wednesday night, the sun is expected to break through in a big way Thursday, with highs in the mid 50s and little to no wind.

But after becoming partly cloudy Thursday night, a system rolls early that brings an 80 percent chance of rain Thursday with temperatures in the upper 40s.

Saturday and Sunday are expected to be cloudy with a chance of rain Sunday.

Here's a look at our latest forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind around 6 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Light and variable wind.

Friday: Rain, mainly after 8am. High near 48. Southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of rain before 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 41. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: Rain likely, mainly after 8am. Cloudy, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: Rain, mainly after 2am. Low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Monday: Rain. High near 56. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

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